CFTS is stressing the importance of regular checks

CFTS, the body behind a UK national standard for Thorough Examination, is reminding dealers, owners and operators of forklifts to be aware of the importance of regular checks in reducing forklift accidents. While the majority of workplace accidents can be attributed to human error, regular maintenance and examination of forklifts can help to significantly reduce the number that occur due to mechanical failure. According to CFTS chairman Geoff Martin: "Ensuring that trucks have undergone a Thorough Examination at recommended intervals is a key step you can take towards a safer workplace. Should something go wrong due to a mechanical failure that would otherwise have been caught, the impact can be devastating - both to the parties involved as well as to your bottom line." Updates to the official sentencing guidelines in the last couple of years have meant that rather than fixed penalties, fines for rule breaches are now proportionate to a company's turnover - with the potential for some huge figures. Fines of six or seven digits are now not uncommon in serious cases, so, more than ever, it pays to stay within official guidelines. "You look at the stats that come out year-on-year and it's clear that there's still a lot of work to be done," says Martin. "We are getting better as an industry, but there is still a long way to go. "And while the focus of CFTS is on the mechanical side, we cannot stress enough the need for companies to undertake proper operator training and create a safer culture around forklifts."